Dog howling and barking in kennels.. holiday

[PhDPepper]

Just dropped off our dog and he was really happy to go with the lady to his kennel, but for the first time ever I could hear him barking and howling in his kennel whilst I was in reception.

I feel very pathetic for feeling so emotional but it’s been a very hard week! Will he be okay?

I'm confused - why was he in a kennel?

I know they all do things differently but The ones I use the dogs are in the gardens all day playing and socialising. They're only ever in their kennels on a night which is when they get their meals. I would not use kennels if they were locked up all the time. I drop mine off and she's put in one of the 12 ginormous gardens.

Either way he will be okay.

Will he be okay?

Depends. Is he in a kennel all day every day for a week? If so I expect he will be bored, lonely and depressed. Possibly go off his food and perhaps develop some new anxiety related behaviours.

If he is in a home from Home type place with human and dog company all day and plenty of activity to occupy him he probably won’t sulk with you when you get back.

I’ve had a pretty poor health year and whilst I was having chemotherapy my DH booked the kennels, it’s a boarding kennels where they walk them every day but he will stay in his kennel unless he’s being walked.

I just didn’t think to change the kennels once I was well enough to do it myself

Sorry to add to your worries but when I adopted my rescue dog, Battersea made me promise never, ever to put her in kennels because she had been so stressed in their ones -so much so that, in the end, a member of staff had to take her home each night with them. If you are able to change the accommodation before you go on holiday, I'm sure that would be better.

My dog goes to kennels, where she is in a kennel and a run, except when exercised 2x day. She is absolutely fine. Your dog almost certainly will be too.

A previous rescued dog wasn't ok in kennels: too insecure. But that's not an average experience.
There's dog owners on here will tell you your dog is suffering if ever left alone, not fed raw food, not sleeping on your bed, or you sleeping next to their bed if they're upset. I'm ex-vet nurse, and I've never done any of these things.

Your dog will settle.
Have a good holiday.

OP it's perfectly natural to worry and it's heartbreaking to hear them bark when you leave them but it isn't forever and lots of dogs stay in kennels. Just because he is in a kennel doesn't mean he isn't getting attention and walks etc, it just means that rather than staying in a room or crate for a bit he is in a kennel instead.

He'll be fine. Our boy loves going to kennels. Some are really quite nice you know.

Our Westie hated going to a private home type one - he does not like other dogs, kennels keep them separate.

The private one he went to took in 4 dogs at a time, and our boy was bullied - changed his character for a couple of weeks til he settled down, whereas, with kennels, he comes out as chirpy as when he went in. Different things suit different dogs.

@PhDPepper I really think yesterday's replies were unduly negative.
Hope you get this on your Holiday, feel reassured, and have a great time.